Energy Committee (ITRE Committee) in the European Parliament approved that offshore oil and gas firms would have to submit major hazard reports and emergency response plans before getting a licence to drill. This draft law is designed to prevent accidents such as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010.

Licences to drill would be granted only if offshore oil and gas firms could prove they have enough cash to remedy any environmental damage potentially caused. They would have to submit major hazard reports and emergency response plans before getting such licences to drill. The draft law, endorsed by the Energy Committee by 48 votes to 7 with 1 abstention has still to be negotiated with the Council. The Environment Committee approved this draft law in September 2012.

National authorities would require to drilling companies to submit a special report describing the drilling installation, potential major hazards and special arrangements to protect workers, before starting operations and at the latest 24 weeks before the planned start. Companies would also be required to review these reports at least every 5 years. They would also have to provide an internal emergency plan, giving a full description of the equipment and resources available, action to be taken in the event of an accident and all arrangements made to limit risks and give the authorities early warning.

Energy Committee MEPs proposed a directive (which lays down ends, but leaves means to member states), although the Commission's initial proposal referred to a "regulation" (which would be directly binding upon all member states). They would also like to see a clearer and stronger role for the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) in preventing accidents. Therefore, they inserted an amendment saying that EMSA would use its scientific and technical expertise to help the European Commission and EU countries to prepare and execute emergency response plans and to detect and control the environmental impact of any oil spill.